Scoutfish

I open to any ideas, Especially the "been there, done that" stuff. I'm not trying to be radical, nor change the status qou of my packs program, but sometimes, it seems like the same program with just a different rank in the name. I want to stick to the pricipals, but maybe make it a bit more interesting.

From Wikionary: Online Dictionary METHOD: Noun A process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something. So I constantly see this person or that one talking about one method, several methods or sometimes referencing that a particular function is part of a method. I know what is meant. But let me ask this: If it does the job, shouldn't any method be okay? NO! I do not include threatening , brain washing or torture, even though those could be considered methods for training somebody. I surely do not mean sitting the scouts down and lecturing them to tears either. A while back, I mentioned the idea of just having a plain old fun day at a family pack campout. Insted of having a particular activity around an activity badge, why not just have a bunch of fun. For example: A parent/son obstacle course. You start out with a three legged race. Then switch to a blindfold relay race: One of the two people in the 3 legged race becomes the eyes and "guides " the other person by voice alone. At the end of a designated section, they switch up or a 3rd person takes the blindfold and then the previous "blind" person guides the 3rd person. Then you have a relay sack race. Then maybe carry an egg in a spoon. Then so on until you hit the finish line. The prize could be a rubber chicken or somthing silly. Then maybe a burp contest with 3 catagories; Loudest burp, longest burp, and saying something burp. Now, it might all just sound stupid at first, but here's the method: Sillyness hides education. Meaning, during the obstacle course, you learn team work ( 3 legged race), trust(being blind during Blind relay), leadership ( being the guide during blind relay), and skill ( egg/spoon carry, and then sportsmanship( rubber chicken trophy? LOL!)During all of it you are being athletic and staying fit. Then during the burp contest, the kids may actually forget about being so scared or nervous in front of audiences or crowds. So, while it was what appeared to be foolish fun, it actualy had a benefit. No, I'm not saying that all meeting or campouts should be run this way. But as we all know..the same old thing gets old. You loose their interest. You need to liven things up and add some spice. No. it doesn't have to specifically be a burp contest ot armpit farts. It could be a comedy routine or impressions. It could be Stupid people tricks or skits. It could be a talent contest. Whatever method it takes and whatever works right? And it sure was fun , at least if you are a 7 to 11 year old cub scout. No I do not insinuate dropping other methods or programs or ideas. I just saying , that every once in a while, on certain occasions such as pack family campouts ( where other kids are not scouts)......Just have fun!

I think learning basic survival skills is a great idea. Granted, the chances are rare, but what if you did survive a ship wreck. Maybe your plane did crash into some mountains far from the local mall and grocery store. What if you just get seperated and completely lost on a guided safari through the wilfderness or who knows what happens while exploring Oregon? The funny thing about Y2K was that people really did not know how to get food if cash registers didn't work at food stores. People stocked upon yams and sardines. But what happened when thosree ran out? You gotta know how to fish, you gotta know how to snare or trap hunt. You do what you gotta do to survive if something does happen. Like medical insurance...we don't plan it to happen, we plan for when it does happen.

Ok, a few misunderstandings here. This is not my "This is what you will do" plan. Rather, basic ideas I had and thought the scouts might like. Ultimately, it has to pass muster with the committee /leadership/parents and scouts. But I thought about presenting it to them to get their thoughts and imnput. The first one is my fault: I was planning on asking parents/ scouts about the uniform idea. My bad, I was thinking it, but didn't type it.Alot of the boys can't wait to switch, but I didn't want to toss out uniforms that were still good. Figured earning your Webelos badge was a justifiable reason to get the new colors. Scoutnut: 1 activity badge per month over the course of the first year. but pretty much, I did think about doing them in that order: "I'm thinking 2 whatever, 1 required ( citizenship), 2 whatever, 1 required(fitness), and by then, they have earned the Webelos badge and are already working on compass points." This is a 6 month span. They could earn their Webelos badge in 6 months, but not all meetings are specificallt geared to rushing the Webelos badge. But, at the end of that 6 months, they would have 3 of the 4 badges needed to finish out The Compass Point. But the Webelos wouldn't be earned until after the 6 month activity was finished. That way there is catch up time or extra time if need be. As for the 2 or 3 hour meeting, it could be whatever. I just thought having it on a Saturday instead of Monday night would be cool and not the : "Rush to get home from school, get cleaned up, eat , then off to scouts then hurry up and get home for homework then bed." routine. I am scheduled to take OWL, WLOT, or whatever it is called ( depends on who you talk to) and Webelos specific leader training. But that will be next month on the 27th and 29th. I have already taken BALOO, YPT, Weather Hazzards, Trek Safety, and Webelos Leader fast start ( yeah, I know that is ...ummm... minimal to non existant as far as practicallity). I haven't ditched the bears. I am only ADL right now, and since the boys all earned their rank badges, we are mostly doing electives and catch up with one or two scouts who haven't ranked yet. For the most part, everybody is on idle/ low gear now that B&G is over. I couldn't tell you why though. But I agreee about meeting being other places too. That was my thoughts behind Saturday meetings. Maybe at a park, maybe at a zoo, Battleship, historic fort, etc. We could have fun, explore and earn badges and just enjoy the camradiere . Good time to cook out too - toss some hot dogs/ hamburgers and fixings in a cooler. I could always bring the charcoal gril and tailgate if we couldn't find an on site grill or build a small campfire. John : The leader meeting on the first night is a done deal. It's been that way since ..well..way way long ago. Since the early 80's as far as I know. We meet every Monday as I explained. Same thing - been done that way since before I gave scouting a single thought. Now as far as den chiefs go, the boy scouts meet immediately after we do on the same night. Some of them are already there, hanging out tossing a football, kicking the soccerball chilling out. Eagle92: WEll, could be indoors/ outdoors or whatever, But I sure didn't mean me standing up and talking the whole blah blah time. I meant activity. Could be a museum, historic fort , battleship, or whatever. Maybe I'm wrong, but alot of activity badges can be earned while doing these things. Sure, you won't earn Aquanaut , but others like traveler or scientist could be earned. Matter of fact, I even figured out how at least 1 requirement of readyman could be met by going to either a civil war fort or battleship. I'd love to take them fishing. Wether on shore at the nbeach, a river or our soundside park with a ..ahem.. (kinda, sorta) fishing pier. LOL Now, I did mention that these were all ideas - nothing set in stone. I also mentioned that I wanted feedback. And I love it, But a few of you sorta read more into it. I did not say I decided I would have a different den cheif every 6 months. As I stated in the very beginning, it is just an idea. We do have a troop sponsored by our CO , and at least once a month, the SM or ASM asks if anybody would like to the use of/ help of/ experience of a den chief. I also see Den Chiefs mention in here alot. Seems that they are used quite frequently. Yeah, I know that it isn't always a success story, but that was something I was willing to do just for their benefit. It doesn't matter to me if it happens or not. So anyway, I appreciate all your inputs. I'd rather be told an idea is completely stupid in here than find out with the boys later. I mean, I can handle screwing up, but I don't want to waste their time while doing it. Thanks.......Mark

TwoCubDad.

Okay, so some of you know that I am going to be a Webelos Den leader next year. So far, I have recieved great ideas, feedback, and great constructive criticism. So far, I do not have a set plan, but a basic idea of what I would like to do. Currently, my pack meets every Monday night from 6 pm to 7 pm. 1st Mon is a leaders meeting. 2nd Mon is a den meting. 3rd Mon is Pack meeting. 4th Mon is a den meeting. 5th ( when it happens) is up to den. WEll, I don't know about you, but sometimes it just sucks to go to work on a Monday, only to rush home and drag out to a Scout meeting. Same for my son. Just going back to school , and loading up with homework for the week. So why not substitute 1 Saturday meeting for a Monday meeting? We could have a 2 or 3 hour meeting where we could have a fire, go for a short hike, work on an achievement in a more relaxed manner and maybe just relax a bit more. Maybe end the meeting by cooking hamburgers or hot dogs on a grill or fire. And in turn, leave that one Monday off for ..whatever? No need to worry about a scout meeting. Uniforms: I have seen a lot of great ideas. I kinda compiled a few ideas into one: Let each Webelos Scout retain his old blue uniform until he earns the Webelos badge. At that point, we switch to the green and Khaki uniforms. At the following meeting, we discuss and talk aboy patrol name and patch. Next meeting, we vote on it, and if practical, I introduce them as a newly formed Webelos patrol at the next pack meeting. Let them stand up and shout out their patrol yell. Campouts: I might have been too eager on that one, but (re)figured on 6 a year,. 2 are family pack campouts. Two will be on the CO property - a few hundred yards behind the Co in a soccer/ athletic field. Kinda pushing the 300 foot mark, but close enough to facilities. Two at a state or local park within 2 hours of our CO. I'll let the scouts and parents decide where as long as the site meets all BSA requirements. Advancement: Okay, this one is tough. I don' want to rush it, but don't want to drag butt eithetr. I'll play it by ear based on how the Webelos react. But by having a 2 or 3 hour Saturday meeting each month, I'd think all would have earned the Webelos badge by 6 months. Then it would be various badges and such, without putting emphasis on AoL . We have next year to worry about that. But as for activity badges....I'm thinking 2 whatever, 1 required ( citizenship), 2 whatever, 1 required(fitness), and by then, they have earned the Webelos badge and are already working on compass points. The rest of the year can be working/ preparing towards year two, but mostly just fun stuff while also earning extra activity badges ( and Compass points). Maybe some fishing and a water park or something of that nature. I'm thinking that this way, there is no rush or stress next year on the AoL and it allows plenty of time for redoing any activities that have been already used for Webelos badge. Our Co also sponsors a Troop so I don't really see an issue with getting a Den Chief. Matter of fact, I'm planning on talking to the SM next week about working out a rotation of Den Chiefs. There should be plenty of time to allow for 3 different Den chiefs to serve their POR in my den for a period of - at least - 6 mos each. Okay, I didn't mean I would limit that oppertunity to just my CO's troop, but I may give them first crack. But while I'm at it, if we (hopefully) have 3 dens instead of just two.... That should work out to 3 POR's per year for 3 different troops. I'll have to mention this to the other DL. So, this is just my idea. It may not be practical partially or entirely. Well, again, I'm open for constructive criticism. Lay it onme! Thanks......... Mark

Double post(This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Does the DE have kids? Have they ever played baseball, basketball, soccer, football or did anything outside scouting? I have yet to see any organized kid activity where parent expectations as well as recruiting has not explaind and solicited!

This is how my son became a Cub Scout: One Monday, my son came home all excited about this thing called Cub Scouts. A guy came to school and there was an assembly just for the boys. THis guy then talked for maybe ( I sooo guessing) 20 minutes about what cub scouting was and what it was about and what they did. He even wore a tan and green unifrom with all kinds of patches on it. This guy was the DE. He told all the kids to tell their parents that they all needed to show up at the school at 6pm for this thing called "roundup". So Friday afternoon, my son remembered to tell me at 5:45 ! We drove the 12 miles to the school house and *I met one of the scariest guys I ever saw. H4e was the DE. Way to hyper, way too excited, way, way scarey! He pretty much acted like he was 10 years old. I was starting to wonder aout this guy, but I as well as the other parents noticed that our kids loved it! In 15 minutes, every single kid new the Cub Scout sign, oath, and motto. We are talking about my son here...The kid who cannot find his shoes 1 minute after he takes them off! Yet , he heard, learned and memorized the oath,law and sign in 15 minutes. They learned two songs also. Then the CM's of 3 different packs each took a turn talking. So we figured out which pack was xclosest to us and went 1 week later to pack "Roundup Night". Everybody went inside, The kids were taken outside for games and such and our CC stood up, Her very first words were: WE ARE NOT BABYSITTERS! IF THAT IS YOUR PLAN....TAKE YOUR KID AND LEAVE NOW! Then she explained how the pack worked, the purpose of scouting, the parents roles in the program and how payroll worked(LOL!) Then explained about the process of den leaders advancing with the boys and trhe eventual need of new leaders. Well, two years later, I am an ADL for Bears, and about to be a DL for Webelos next year. The DE turns out to be a really cool guy when you actually get to know him. The leadership of my pack told the parents straight up what the game plan was, and even said that the plan and the actual result are not always the same thing...but such is life! Basically, adult volunteers and additional leadership were recruited at the same time as the kids!

Roses are red, Violets are blue. I'm schizophrenic, and so am I! LOL!

When you said 11, I just did the math and assumed he was a Cub Scout. I forgot that he could have crossed over already. According to G2SS he is of an appropriate age for field, target and moving target archery - and is not restricted to council or district events.

He has to do it at a council or district level. It doesn't specifically say wether compound bows are allowed or not, but if I had to guess, I'd say no. Maybe once he'sa BOY scout, he might be able toi use a compaound bow.

Gosh Beavah.. I don't care what Walley and Eddie say, I think you're just swell! LOL!

LMAO!

Pie la Mode: Bait and switch, distraction, or benefitial teamwork? LOL!

TwoCubDad, CHECK! Doing it April 27th and 29th , next month.

Lisa, OH NO! You misunderstood me. Our current den has 24 boys. Next year, I will be leading a second den. WE are splitting. At the most, I would have half. But hopefully, a few other registered volunteers in our den ( there are two) will step up and either bevcome dl's too or at least ADLs. Other than that....thanks for your imput. Like I said, I don't know and all info is appreciated.

I live 100 yards off the intracoastal waterway in Surf City, NC I have at one time, owned 3 boats at once and now own only 1 . My father was in the USCG, so I learned alot about boating, boat operation, and boat safety.I have spent my entire life living no more than 4 miles to the closest ocean, waterway or river. Not sure about lakes. I spent nearly 12 years as a volunteer firefighter/EMS/ EWater Rescue Technition. PWC's are just like any thing else: They are safe vehicles IF operated the way they are supposed to be. They are only as safe at the person operating them. Over the years, I have seen DUI's and death by DUI on a riding mower. No I am not kidding!I have seen 5,ooo pound weapons ( also known as cars) kill and main innocent peole due to the draiving habits of the operators. Remember the big stories about Jeeps being accident prone in the late 80's early 90's? I used to own a "81 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade. It had the shorter wheelbase than the CJ-7 or Scrambler, thus was "supposed" to be even more dangerous. Well, I never had a single or potential incident in my Jeep because I drove my Jeep in a way that fit the vehicle - I drove within the limitations of that vehicle. PWC's are exactly the same. Sure,they go fast and jump waves and boat wakes pretty nicely. But do not blame the PWC itself for skimming along as fast as it can less than 20 foot from a bunch of kids swimming in knee deep water . Do not blame the jet ski for zig zagging around boats piloting through a limited channel.Don't blame PWC's for suddenly turning around in front of your boat. Don't blame any object for the inability of the operators mentality, attention span or common sense. I see and hear about car and truck accident on hiways way more than the water - ten fold. Now as far as PWC's at BSA camps...well, I don't know, call me old fashioned, but I thought part of the whole camp experience was to get away from modern technology. No, I'm not against cabin lights or even hot water heaters for showers, but leave IPOD's, Gameboys, Lap Tops ( except for the program, scout records and promotions and advancement, etc..) home! Go hiking, go swimming, go canoeing or just sit on your butt and enjoy the sound of no motors and smell the fresh air. ! Like I said, I have one and used to have 3 boats, but use a paddle if you want that boat to go. I have no issue with PWC's for EMS or life guard functons either. I'd rather get to that distressed boater or swimmer faster than traditionally. Just don't blame a human controlled object for human stupidity. That's just a cop out! I also have no issue with a "PWC safety" training during a specific field trip or a specific PWD safety camp. Why not instill proper operating procedures to these guys while they are younger and might actually retain that knowledge.(This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Ours pretty much shuts down over the summer too.At least den meeting/ pack meeting wise. We do have at least 1 "fun Day" each month, but program wise, we are shut down. It's more to keep the current membership going until the start of the next scout year. Well, I don't meanevery saturday, but maybe 1 a month in place of a Monday night meeting. I know Saturdays are also for other activities and just winding down after a long week. Definantly still have to go to the Monday night Pack meetings and such. I just thought trading 1 Saturaday of 2 or 3 hours for 1 Monday night might be cool or better. I'll try it, worst thing that can happen is if nobody will like it!

artjrk, Yeah, I really don't want to shove anything in their faces. Man,I hated school as much as the next guy! LOL! I want it to be fun, but still have a reasonable amount of progress. I'ma big kid at heart and like to goof off too, but want to curtail it enough that we don't drag but or take too long either.

#3 Meet twice a month through the summer... Right now, our dens/ pack meet 3 times a month , sometimes four depending on how many Mondays we have.( I think Mondays might be part of the problem) We use the fist Monday as a leaders/ committee meeting night, 2nd Monday is den, 3rd is pack, 4th is den and 5th ( if there is one) den. But you know.... Monday night is fine and okay, but wouldn't at least 1 Saturday be better than 2 or 3 Monday nights? I like that! The problem with Monday nights is that is also when my distric has it's monthly round table. Also, everybody just went back to school after the weekend and we just went back to work. By the time work/school is over, I just want to go home! Not run out to a scout meeting for an hour! The scouts had a miserable day at school and are just starting a new week of homework. So I'm thinking that on a Saturday, we could met for two hours or more. Maybe even cook some hot dogs on sticks over a campfire forlunch. Is this too much or un realsitic?

Well, Pizza Hut will do in a pinch, but I prefer non-chain establishments where it is made by hand. Where no two pizzas are the same. Not the pre measured. preprepared ( within reason that is) ingredients. The local pizza place I go to makes it's own sauce daily. Nothing pre bpought. Not a chain and I will bet that even thought the ingredients list is the same, the actuall amount of ingredients is different in a daily basis. The cool thin about this place is that the use a little bit of sugar to kill the heartburn causing acidity, but then put in a touch of lemon juice to counteract th sweetness. Pizza Hut or Dominoe's only if I'm in a pinch!

UhOh! It has just been brought to my attention that thier is a bias in this thread! It seems that Eclairs are more "pie like" in nature than other pastries, yet have been dishonestly lied to due to their namesake!

I'm in the middle: I like a medium crust pizza PIE! The bottom of the3 crust will be nice and crispy, yet as you move upward towards the toppings and sauce, there is a slight chewyness to the crust - not to be confused with greasy/soggyness. Too much crust and the bottom must get burnt to cook the upper crust fully or the bottom is just right and the upper level of crust is gooey. Too thin of crust, and it gets burnt while the tomato sauce/paste does not get that carmelizing time it needs.

So I'm going to be a brand new Webelos Den Leader next year. Can't wait, yet I'm kinda nervous too. I have no problem learning from my mistakes. To be quite honest, I think the best lessons come from mistakes. BUT... I don't want those mistakes to be detrimental to the boy's program. Know what I mean? I have no issue screwing up something that affects me, but I do have an issue with ME screwing up when it affects others! Let them learn from their mistakes, not mine. So anyways, from what I have read across many scouting sites and books, the length of the Webelos program is not set in stone as far as a time frame for AB's (Activity Badges). In one site, I can see that the Webelos might just barely get their Webelos badge before age 12. In another site, I see that the boys knock out one AB a month for 20 months and are practically just waiting to go to Boy Scouts and go to an EBOR. The next site has stated that their first year Webelos have earned their rank, Compass Points and Arrow of Light badge at the following B&G.( What is that? 6 months? ) Wow, what a dull second year right? While I do want the boys to earn as many AB as they want, I also want them to mean something. Yes, I have heard of MB mills. I do not want to be an AB mill, but at the same time, I do not want to drag out anything unnecessarily. That make sense? So basically, what I'm asking is this: How did you run your Webelos Den? What was your advancement ( not sure that's the right word) rate on AB's? How hard did you work on the Webelos badge, the Compass Point badge and AoL badge? I know their is no set in stone rule, but I want to at least try working with something that worked for somebody else instead of just trying something out of the blue that might be a disaster. Thanks for all replies!